[Ultrastructural study of interlobular bile ductal disorganization in autoimmune liver diseases]

Ultrastructures of interlobular bile ductules were examined in 7 cases of lupoid hepatitis and related disease (LH) and 8 cases of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Mononuclear cell, especially lymphocyte infiltrations into bile ducts cross basement membrane were common findings found in 57.1% of LH and in 50% of PBC patients, thus, statistically, the occurrence of lymphocyte infiltration was similar for both groups. Cell contact between bile duct epithelia and infiltrated cells differed in LH and PBC. In LH, 86.7% of the cells contacted at small point, but 92.3% PBC cells had broad contact with each other. Stratification of bile duct epithelia and other visible changes in PBC epithelial cells was statistically more extensive compared with LH. Dilatation of intercellular space was often observed in basal region of LH. Destruction and degeneration of LH and PBC bile duct epithelial cells was mainly observed in basal and luminal regions, respectively. Rupture and thickening of basement membrane was seen in PBC, but rarely in LH. The average diameter of interlobular bile ducts were larger and oval shaped in patients with PBC compared to smaller circular ducts observed in LH patients. These results not only revealed that several changes in interlobular bile ducts occur but that similar changes with LH and PBC. This suggests that both distinctions and similarities exist between LH and PBC as autoimmune hepatic disease.